Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...

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humanity. Currently, UNESCO is enjoying official relations with 319 international NGOs and 19
foundations. To facilitate and boost international cooperation UNESCO organizes “The NGO
International Conference” every two years and all NGOs maintaining official relations with
UNESCO are invited to participate in the conference.
In order to strengthen cooperation and to reinforce its operational relations UNESCO has signed
agreements and memorandum of understanding with above mentioned 16 organizations of the
United Nations system. It maintains different forms of cooperation with the specialized agencies,
funds and programs of UNO system as stipulated in Article XI of its Constitution. “UNESCO
may cooperate with other specialized intergovernmental organizations and agencies whose
interests and activities are related to its purposes.” So UNESCO, jointly with its sister agencies
in the United Nations system, is committed to consolidate the dynamism and long-term
economic growth in the world and to address the threats to peace, security, and equitable
development of the all regions in the world.
UNESCO has established a web of UNESCO associations and organizations, with these IGOs, to
achieve its goals, to promote the Organization's ideals and efforts at the grassroots level and to
improve the visibility. At present there are more than 4,000 UNESCO Clubs, Centers and
Associations in some 100 countries. Students and educational institutions are always main focus
of UNESCO, to help young people develop attitudes of tolerance and international understanding
UNESCO has 7,900 Associated Schools in 176 countries.
There are over 335 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which maintain official relations
with UNESCO and many others cooperate on an occasional basis with the Organization's
sectors. Similarly more than 40 eminent personalities - the Goodwill Ambassadors - use their
talent and status to help focus the world's attention on the work and mission of UNESCO.
5.1.1.5 UNESCO Networks in the world
It was in 1956 when for the very first time the idea of decentralization of UNESCO was
discussed in the General Conference (9C/PRG/21, 22) later on in 1970 the General Conference
adopted a resolution, which concerned to the decentralization. UNESCO gives due importance to
devolution and delegation of powers to the field offices in order to implement and achieve
UNESCO objectives. The policy of decentralization is also very helpful respecting the diversity,
geographical, cultural, economical, social and political, of member states.